Today, more than ever in these uncertain and changing times, we are becoming more disconnected with nature and the natural beauty we have surrounding us. Being around horses has had a profound effect on many lives. They have helped us to re-connect with nature while helping us to balance our lives while giving unconditional care, love and attention. This page is dedicated to all horses and all the many different ways they enhance out lives. We invite you to contact us and share with others a special horse that has made a difference in your life.
Further Commemorating the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
We would like to share with you the RCMP Musical Ride who thanks to our Mayor of Surrey, B.C. Dianne Watts, who made it possible for their attendance at this most outstanding engagement; the 2010 Winter Olympics! The crowd enjoyed the show immensely and so did we! Although the following You Tube video is not at Holland Park in Surrey, the show appears to be the same kind of venue. Enjoy!
Please note: The RCMP Musical Ride Horses have a great example set by their caretakers the life that all horses are deserving of. These horses are bred specially for their work, they are given the time to fully develop before taking on this work and when retirement comes their way, they are placed in forever loving homes. They work for a living, are treated very well in the stabled conditions they call home when on the road and are very gentle horses, so gentle that the children can pet them after performances. They appeared to be very appreciative of the attention they recieve and seem to always want more...based from the heated barn experienced I had that was provided for them on the cold and blustery day I attended their show!
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George
Seabiscuit - (May 23, 1933—May 17, 1947) was a champion thoroughbred race horse in the United States. Seabiscuit was one of the most remarkable Thoroughbred racehorses in history. From 1936 to 1940, Americans thronged to racetracks to watch the small, ungainly racehorse become a champion. He had an awkward gait but ran with dominating speed; he was mild-mannered yet fiercely competitive; and he was stubborn until he became compliant. His inferior performances as a young racehorse led to later dominance on the turf.
A thought to ponder: was it Seabiscuit himself, TB horse racing or Seabiscuit's jockey Red Pollard that rocked the hearts of America during this time of depression?Seabiscuit vs War Admiral - 1938 Match Race
Barbaro -(April 29, 2003 - Jan 29, 2007) After Barbaro suffered his fateful injury on Saturday, ABC News correspondent Vicki Mabrey couldn't help but notice the sour mood in the grandstand. "People cried, they gasped, they hugged those around them, they asked why it had to happen and if Barbaro would live," she said. "Count me in on all of the above." we all can easily relate to his story. He was injured without warning, but those around him reacted quickly to save him. It was scary; it was heroic. Why so gripping? As the events of Sept. 11, 2001, revealed so clearly, many fear that tragedy can strike at any moment. Barbaro's accident highlights the chaos we all fear. "It brings home to people how precarious our existence and safety is," said Dr. Redford Williams, Duke University's psychiatry director.
Barbaro, yet another one of our beloved equines, teaching us once again about the gift of this life and how quickly it can change, forever. I believe that Barbaro's legacy to all will be that we remember "who we are" and how precious each moment of our time is here.U-Tube Tribute To Barbaro - The Race Horse That Never Gave Up!
ALDERGROVE, BC -(August 2008) Canadian Para-Dressage rider Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, B.C. won a Gold Medal after competing in the Equestrian Freestyle Grade II at the Paralympic Games in Hong Kong. Barwick, riding Maile, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Christine MurphyKsionek and Pat and Linda Parelli, scored 72.776%. “By bringing home a medal at the first possible opportunity, Lauren has re-affirmed Canada’s place as one of the foremost Para-Equestrian nations in the world,” stated Equine Canada CEO, Akaash Maharaj. “We are tremendously proud of her, her achievement at the Paralympics, and her success in raising the bar for all athletes across Canada and across international equestrianism.” Visit the Equine Canada web site for more info on Lauren's success!
Personal Stories of Horses Making a Difference
Courage Life and Love - Jimmy & YvonneI am certain today the inner strength I developed over these past many years would not have become so strong, had I not this incredible horse in my life to teach me. I know that I came to love this horse so much, I was willing to sacrifice many things; in return he gave me his friendship, trust and dedication to me as a partner in his life. Each time I would make a decision (on his behalf), he would acknowledge me and let me know in his suddle ways, that I had done well (or not so well from time to time!). Learning how to stand up for him during times of challenge (as we often went against the grain transitioning to more natural equine care), by following my gut feelings and intuition, also began an interesting parallel in my own life. My personal strength developed in ways that I would never have imagined. Standing up for my own personal beliefs, accepting that I did not have to be one from the same flock of others, that I could be just me, in peace, has been the biggest gift of all.
April 28, 2008: Kimber and her horse Kat rode west from Trenton, Nova Scotia with a goal of the Pacific Coast of Canada, 6,000+km and 5-6 months down the road. Her driving inspiration is Barbara Kingscote's 1949 journey from Mascouche, Quebec to Vancouver, British Columbia. Is it still possible for a lone woman in her twenties and her horse to make it across Canada almost purely on character and the hospitality of the Canadian spirit?Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History is two Canadian women, two generations apart, going against convention with a unique, yet shared sense of adventure, a simple equine mode of transportation and, most importantly, a desire to discover the Canada of their day.
We met Kimber today (Oct 3, 2008), one day away from her destination which was an undisclosed location on a beach in White Rock! Congratulations to both her and Katrina!
In July of 2000 I had a pacemaker implanted in my chest to correct an electrical block between the upper & lower halves of my heart. The day I returned home from surgery I went to visit my horse Kristal Dar Shamus. Dar began to muzzle the medicinal smell emanating from the left side of my chest. I put my shirt aside for him to further analyze the area of surgery. I am a very slight person so the stainless steel pacemaker sits very close to the surface of my body. I have no words to describe adequately the profound look on his face; it was like he knew there had been a shift in my energy. Was it the medicinal smell that caught his attention or did he recognize the electro-magnetic field? Today Dar continues to be sensitive to this area.
By: Brenda Anonymous
In 2002 I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Since then life has been up and down and all around. It's hard to get into doing things and I stay home more. Early 2005 I found out I was mis-diagnosed and am actually bi polar. The only thing I would do was go see my horses Simon and Nicky. They are the only ones who understand. Even close friends and family don't want to hear anything about it - but they do and help me heal. I can tell by the gentle look in Simon's eyes that he loves me so much, and helps with everything he can. Even though I love it, if I never make it to grand prix, I'd rather spend my life helping people and horses in natural ways. It is much more rewarding in the end. If I didn't have them, I wouldn't be here today.
On New Year's day, 2003I went to go see Simon - first day of the new year as well as the better part of my life. We were a total match and I know he was the one for me! When I picked him up I saw he had a quarter crack in his hoof. No problem really, we'd just have to fix it up. It took us over a year to get it all grown out. We went through a lot of abcesses with the quarter crack blowing out a lot and at one time Simon was 3 legged because of it. He was hurting so much that he layed down on my lap in his stall for hours. Most people wouldn't have taken a horse home with a quarter crack, but if nobody takes home the ones who need help, how will they get it? Simon and I have such a precious and special bond that will never be broken!!!!
By: Laura Myers
Just a Horse ~ From time to time people say to me "it's just a horse" or the cost involved for "just a horse". Some of my proudest moments have come about with just a horse. Many hours have passed and the only company was just a horse but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by just a horse and in tough days of darkness the gentle touch of a horse gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. Just a horse brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure unbridled joy. Just a horse brings out the compassion and the patience that makes me a better person. Just a horse is the thing that keeps me from being more than just a woman but that of a fulfilled human being.
We would like to share with you the RCMP Musical Ride who thanks to our Mayor of Surrey, B.C. Dianne Watts, who made it possible for their attendance at this most outstanding engagement; the 2010 Winter Olympics! The crowd enjoyed the show immensely and so did we! Although the following You Tube video is not at Holland Park in Surrey, the show appears to be the same kind of venue. Enjoy!
